I just opened a letter from Utah saying that I have a chance at a cow bison tag for the Henry Mountains unit. Apparently there are some additional permits being issued and I have a chance to get one of them. I need to respond no later than this Friday or they move on to the next name on the list.
I haven't prepared a thing in research, but have been applying for a tag in hopes of some day drawing. Can anyone tell me anything about this tag? It is expensive, and it is a once in a lifetime tag, so this would be my only chance to ever hunt free range bison.
Any help or guidance is appreciated!!
I'd take a loan and do that hunt. Incredible opportunity. Good Luck Joe! :thumbsup:
I would list my mother on ebat if she were still alive, to fund that hunt! :bigsmyl:
There was an article in Traditional Bowhunter magazine about a buffalo hunt in the Henrys. I believe it was in 2011 or 2010.
Whip don't go...mail it to me :) I know it is short notice for a hunt of that caliber but you never know when this one will come around again. Free range bison in the lower 48!!! WOW! Good luck and keep us informed.
Hunt first and worry about paying for it later,the American way.....
A Bison Hunt WOW, may have to buy another freezer.Hope it turns out for you.
Joe,
Congradulations on your draw.
good luck with whatever you decide.
If you hunt, make sure you share the story with us ;) :campfire:
Go for it! Congrats on a super tag if you are drawn.
Go for it. I spent a week in the Henry's last spring looking at the herd. It is a long way from anywhere. You drive across desert for hours it seems like before you get there, then up they jump.
MAP
That is incredable. I would love to be drawn for a hunt like that.
If you decide not to go, your future self will beat you up everyday. You can't remember what you have never done.
God Bless,
Nathan
Yup, go for it!
Joe. . . . you ain't 25 any more. If you can pull it off at all, I suggest you go on this one.
I am betting there are some here that will assist as much as possible in the endeavor, such as information transfer, heck, maybe even some footwork in the area if they happen to be bored one weekend and just wanna help see the land.
Stuff like that can happen here. If you let it.
And take plenty of pix for us.
ChuckC
That can be a very physically and emotionally taxing hunt. I'm from Utah and know quite a few people that have hunted that over the last decade. Those Bison are VERY wild and not what you think of as a typical buffalo hunt. Very skittish. Don't let that discourage you from hunting them, I would absolutely go. Just be prepared to hunt hard, put a lot of miles on the boots, and know that they aren't your "typical" buffalo.
Good luck buddy!!
I had a call from a friend that has done that hunt twice- once himself and once as helper. Sounds like this late season deal might turn out to be something of a free for all, with many of the tag holders enlisting armies of spotters. Of course they would be rifle hunting.
His thoughts are that if my name came up for this bonus hunt I may be getting close to drawing a regular tag, and said that if it were him, he would wait.
The information that came with the letter said this is a low success hunt, with horses highly recommended, and that most bison on the late hunts are taken more than 5 miles from the nearest road. It sounds like it might require a serious outfitted hunt to have much of a chance.
I am waiting on more info as to tag numbers for this hunt, etc. But my goal would be a quality experience, ideally DIY, and this might not be it. Lots of research to do in a very short amount of time.
Sounds like your friend had some very good insight. Best of luck on which ever path you take.
Whip, whatever you decide I think I would contact Larry Fischer. I am sure that he has as much or more experience with Henry Mt. Bison as anyone. At least two of the articles I've read on Bison hunting in the Henry's were written by Mr. Fischer. Good luck and be safe!
Mike
Oh......and when the time comes, be sure a "take" us here along for the ride!
Mike
Joe,
Mike beat me to it, but I would be calling PBS brothers Larry and Blake Fischer. It would be worth going to me just to see the Henry's mule deer. Think hard about hiring somebody with horses. I don't want to pack an elk on my back 5 miles...bison are SO much bigger. No way.
Congrats Joe, and good luck
i would listen strongly to your friends advice and see if you can find out if it is truth or rumor that you are getting close to being drawn with a regular tag. If it is "truth" i would hold out. Good luck and take us along either way!
Go for it, you only live once!! :thumbsup:
absolutely GO FOR IT!
Joe, contact Larry! of you haven't. As you may have discovered already the Henry Mountain hunt can be challenging and the Utah DNR don't understand the challenge of tradbow hunting during a circus.
best of luck!
Joe,
I have a friend who done it. PM sent.
Joe that updated information may be a game changer. So, in other words. . . go on out and run around with the mob during the last two weeks of the season. . whatever.
This may not be the hunt you are dreaming of after all.
Maybe holding another year or two is the smart move after all.
ChuckC
Low success ratio, rifle hunters :banghead: if ya wait, you have time to do the research, your name will come up. :campfire: Good luck.
Put on your analyst hat for this one ... the facts will lead you to the best decision. Good luck :archer2:
Go Packers .....
I drove by the Henry Mountains last month and knowing there are buffalo on that peak thought about what a tough hunt it would be (but aren't they all?!).
Pete Shepley, the guy who makes bows we don't speak of here has a video of his hunt there from some years past. Good luck.
My brother drew a hunter's choice tag a few years ago. He had also been a helper once before. He considerd it to be a tough hunt but did take a nice bull(rifle). I'm sure if you had any questions he would help and I would help you any way I could. P.M me if there is anything I can do.
Joe,
The advice here and what you have received sounds good. Maybe you would be able to pass and go along on another hunt to get an idea of what you are in for? Just a thought anyway.
BTW nice buck :readit: :bigsmyl:
Joe it's a last minute hunt that you haven't had time to prepare for,you already know that it will require an extensive outfitter with horses with a small success rate,I'd pass for know but it is your decision.
How many points do you have built up? I have a few myself and am asking myself what I would do if I had gotten the letter. I think I would pass on it for many of the reasons mentioned above.Besides I am in my early 30's and hopefully have many more years to hunt. You didn't pay play for so many years to not deserve a quality hunt. Not to say you couldn't but it might cost you alot more! On the flip side 10-20 years down the road you may never get this opportunity again! Good luck!
I'd wait for the Bull tag Joe. This is the hunt of a life time, don't get rushed into some free for all deal. Better to plan and enjoy the bull tag when it comes.
TAKE THE TAG! if you want hunt wild free range bison that is.
Most Easteners have no idea how the draw system works out west, especially for non-residents.
The odds of you ever drawing another tag are very slim- 0.5% for a bull or 5% for a a cow tag. they have only given out 1 tag for NonResidents for bull and 1 tag for cow. that means there is no guranteed bonus tag for the person with the max points (assuming you have max points- how many do you Have?)
but with only 1 tag it doesn't really matter how many points you have everyone is in the pot. So for drawing another cow tag the odds the last few years has been 1 in 104 and 1 in 69. (best odds I have seen three years ago they gave out 3 cow tags and the odds were close to 1 in 21, but still no guarantee)
Forget it for a bull tag, last year it was 1 in 800 chance of drawing! That's 800 other people putting in for the same tag, so say in 20years only 20 out of the 800 will ever draw. How old will you be in 20 years? 78? will you still go on a tough bison hunt @ that age?
Of course you could be lucky and draw again but the odds are greatly against you. The only guarantee thing you have now is a tag!
PS- the hunt will never get cheaper, and you will never get younger, and never be guaranteed a tag again.
Hey Joe,
My wife's cousin is a guide in Utah. He's taken a great uncle and a cousin buffalo hunting in the Henry's.
These are not "your uncle's bison" walking around on the farm. They are wary animals and can climb a cliff like a goat or sheep. They are amazing animals.
IF it were me, I think I'd enlist a guide as it's a once in a lifetime deal. Nothing like having a mule under your butt to get you where you need to go. Walking and carrying a stickbow would be tough, at best. It has been done.
In addition, if they called you, you're close. Next year you might get the call for an earlier hunt. The Henry's in December can be brutally cold.
As far as bull vs cow, I wouldn't worry about that. They look the same unless you're doing a full body mount and a 10+ year old free range bison is far from "tender vittles".
You have a great opportunity. Only you can choose. Good luck whatever you choose.
homebru
It's amazing how much you can learn in a day! And much of the advice here is spot on.
wildwilderness is right - this might very well be my only opportunity to ever hunt free range bison. I have 7 points right now, so not a huge pile. But once used they are of course gone forever. I know all about the tough draw odds, and have been putting in for the cow hunt all along. To me, a cow bison would be a real trophy.
But I am a little bull headed. If I do this, I would only do it with a traditional bow. Naturally that cuts my chance of success dramatically, and I'm perfectly ok with that.
I have nothing at all against rifle hunters, but it's just not something I am interested in. If I am going to compete with them during the same season the only realistic option is to be able to pack back far enough to get away from the majority of the crowds.
From what I have found, there are 30+ tags available for this hunt. People that have done it before have all said that for each tag holder you can multiply by 5 or 10 to get and idea of how many people will be in the mountains looking for and chasing bison. Most of the hunters are residents of course, and they tend to enlist every friend and relative they can to come and help spot bison for their hunt. These tags are rare, and they do everything they can to put them to good use.
So that leads me to the conclusion Nathan suggests - hunting with an outfitter. Horses for sure, probably a wall tent and stove - the works.
Normally I much prefer doing hunts on my own, and I even have pretty much all the gear that might be needed. But I don't have horses. Everything I have been hearing says the hayburners are about the only way to go to accomplish what I would want to do. So an outfitter might be the only option, whether this year or in the future. Problem is, I don't have much time this year. I need a final decision by Friday. And I'm leaving for Kansas tomorrow. I do have one phone call out to a guy, but haven't heard back from him yet, so don't know if it is a possibility or not. Nathan, I'll send you a PM.
7 points definately helps for a cow bison hunt. Your odds of drawing in the future with that many points puts you close. You just have to hope they give out multiple tags. I heard Utah is giving out extra tags because the drought this year really impacted the winter range feed?
We will have to see how this winter goes. If the herd is down it may be a few years before they give out multiple cow tags to Non Residents, but with your points you may be in a decent spot to draw in a few years. The last couple years they only gave out 1 tag (because they transplanted a bunch of bison to the book cliffs herd)
The hunt will be the same though with rifle hunters etc. this year or any future hunt.
good luck
I dunno if it would help, but I am only few hours from there.
If ya need a grunt lemme know... Id be willing to help any way I can. I got lotsa free time...
I'd be willing to help point you in the right direction too if you decide to get the tag.
The article refeered to in TBM basically said it was an army after them. I would listen to my buddy. These chances don't come often but all that will be required takes more than 5 days to decide if you have enough time to get ready or not. These out west game agencies kill me. Tell you no by getting right up to the time it is considered over and do this? God Bless
That darn horseshoe causing you problems again?
Good luck with it. Nice problem to have.
Well, I won't know whether I made the right decision until it's over, but I'm going bison hunting! Basically decided that if I was ever lucky enough to draw again I might be too old to appreciate it. So now is the time.
My biggest concern is that I will be sharing the mountain with 30 other hunters and all of their friends and relatives. The solution (I hope!) to that problem will be having mules to get away from the crowd.
Homebru hooked me up with his wife's uncle(?) who is an outfitter in the Henry's and has guided lots of hunters for bison there. He knows the country, and has the stock to get us where we need to be. We'll be camping in wall tents and riding mules to get to the bison. No matter how it ends up it will be an adventure of a lifetime for me!?
This is a huge trip for me, but an opportunity that I just couldn't let slip away. Wish me luck- I think I am going to need it! Now the mad scramble to try to get myself in some semblance of mountain shape so I can try not to embarrass myself!
Good luck to you Joe. It's gonna be a story worth telling regardless if an animal is taken, but we will all be rooting for you!
Best of luck. I am anxiously awaiting the AZ draw to see if I will be hunting these huge beasts.
Hey Joe,
Good luck on the hunt. Lemme know if you need someone to make coffee in the mornings.
I look forward to hearing more of this story.
homebru
Good luck!
I'm sure you made the right decision! This will be a great hunt/experience! I hope that on top of a great trip you will be successful!
Cheers
David
This definitely sounds like an adventure in the making! Keep us posted :campfire:
Steve
Trip of a lifetime.Good luck!! It will be great fun even if you don't get a bison. Bob
Good luck Joe. If anyone can make it work it, it is you!
Go get them. :thumbsup:
Best of luck Joe!
Best of luck, a dream hunt for sure!
Joe,
That is awesome! Best of luck to you!
Thanks,
Josh
Good luck! It's sounds likes in in for a good time.
When I saw the edited title of your thread, my first thought was WAY TO GO, JOE!
Best of luck. Don't worry about those "other guys". Focus positively on yourself and your success.
You can do this.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Good luck Joe
No time like the present eh?
Wow, its gonna be awesome just to follow along via the thread.
Good luck!
Go gettem Joe! Good Luck!
Awesome! Good for you, one huge bit of advice....get some knee pads. I don't know how old you are but I'm 44 and my knees are starting to hurt. Stalking up to bison to get a trad shot will require crawling. Kneepads saved me on two hunts.
I can't wait to hear this unfold, trulty wishing you the best luck for a fun safe hunt!
Good luck Joe. It will be quite an experience.
ChuckC
ROCK ON JOE!!!
I wish you all the luck on this adventure.
I will wait for your expose' when you return.
the pictures alone will be fantastic for us to see.
Get it done Joe,You can do it.
CTT
Best of luck to you. I will never forget the bison hunt i was able to attend.
I'll loan you the $$ for the tag, interest payment, one backstrap :bigsmyl: :campfire:
Good Luck Joe!!! Have fun.
Good luck joe! Cant wait to see this one unfold!
Good choice Whip. Get it while the gettin is good!
When's the hunt?
Awwwrite Whip!!! Proud for you man! I have no doubt you will have the hunt of your life. Good luck my friend and keep us in the loop :campfire:
Awesome Joe!! Wish you the best of luck! :thumbsup:
Can't wait to follow along :campfire:
Good luck Joe. Sounds like a fun hunt. Hopefully you'll find a little solitude to go along with the bison.
Best of luck to you!
Good Luck sounds like a true adventure.
Good luck Joe!! If you need a pit stop on the way through let me know.
Drop the string on a big-un!
Enjoy the journey!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Wow Joe, I am really looking forward to your hunt!
Once in a lifetime hunt, have a great time. :clapper: :pray: :coffee:
Have a great time and an outstanding hunt. Wish I was with you!
Good luck Joe. I heard that was one of the toughest hunts you can do, especially when you kill one. Can't wait to hear how it goes.
Good luck Joe,this is one of the reason it is good to retire.
Man, that is great. I hope to someday hunt bison, and cows eat better than bulls. Can't wait to hear your story!
Wow! Nice trip for sure!
What an awesome opportunity... Best of luck Whip!!!
:campfire:
Good luck Joe...this hunt sounds amazing with the mules. I get excited just picturing it...riding out and glimpsing your first herd.
Cant wait to see the pics and hear your story from this one. What an adventure.
Best of luck.
:pray: